Vision

The Kansas workforce system will be the national leader in meeting business talent needs, growing the economy and providing access to quality careers for every Kansan through integrated service delivery.

Mission

The KANSASWORKS mission is to deliver a qualified workforce through training and matching services available to Kansans supporting businesses, growing regional economies and improving the prosperity of all.

Purpose

The Board’s charge is to connect all services into a comprehensive workforce system and to serve as the organizer of those connections with the ultimate-goal of positioning KANSASWORKS as the premier workforce system in the nation. The board’s diverse representation assists in establishing connections and provides a statewide perspective.

Goals

Customer Service

Performance Accountability and Transparency

System Messaging and Awareness

Technology Integration

KANSASWORKS is the brand name for the statewide,public workforce system established through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

HOW IT WORKS

Kansas is Separated Into 5 Local Areas

Each area has a local workforce development board and one-stop operator responsible for Workforce Center operations. The Kansas Department of Commerce Workforce Services Division administers state-level programs and the state workforce board—the KANSASWORKS State Board.

What is the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

In July of 2014, President Barack Obama signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) into law on July 22, 2014.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was put into law on July 22, 2014. WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Congress passed the Act by a wide bipartisan majority; it is the first legislative reform in 15 years of the public workforce system.

Every year the key programs that form the pillars of WIOA help tens of millions of job seekers and workers to connect to good jobs and acquire the skills and credentials needed to obtain them. The enactment of WIOA provides opportunity for reforms to ensure the American Job Center system is job-driven—responding to the needs of employers and preparing workers for jobs that are available now and in the future.

WIOA supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In general, the Act takes effect on July 1, 2015, the first full program year after enactment, unless otherwise noted. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will issue further guidance on the timeframes for implementation of these changes and proposed regulations reflecting the changes in WIOA soon after enactment.

The KANSASWORKS State Board serves as a review board and change agent empowered with the responsibility of making recommendations to the Governor and to state agencies to align workforce development with the needs of economic development in the state.

The KANSASWORKS State Board plays an important role in bringing citizen involvement and engagement to the state's workforce development efforts and in providing strategic leadership for workforce development and local/regional leaders throughout the state. The KWSB's strength is less in its statutorily-deﬁned decision-making authority and more as a forum for policymakers, informed citizens and stakeholders to inﬂuence public policy for the improvement of the State's workforce.

The structure and operations of the KWSB and committees and the active engagement of members are the keys to success.

What does KANSASWORKS offer?

Online Access

KANSASWORKS offers a free, self-service job matching system for jobseekers and employers.

27 Locations

KANSASWORKS provides 27 full & Part-time Workforce Centers. Offering a single point of entry to a network of employment, training, and educational programs.

Mobile Locations

KANSASWORKS provides two mobile Workforce Centers. One state-operated; one locally-operated.

The Kansas Department of Commerce Workforce Services Division requested assistance with evaluation of entry services delivered at workforce centers across Kansas. Located in communities across the state, Kansas Workforce Centers serve more than 176,000 customers a year. These centers experience a constant management challenge to effectively serve this volume of clients and meet the unique employment needs of each individual. Wichita State University developed a study to design a “secret shoppers” appraisal tool, to conduct an assessment in nine workforce centers. Use the buttons below to view the Results and analysis.

The KANSASWORKS State Board is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Any individual with a disability may request accommodations by emailing workforcesvcs@ks.gov, TDD 711 or 1-800-766-3777. Requests should be made at least (5) working days in advance of the event.